Title of Invention

ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

ABSTRACT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY An accelerator pedal assembly of a vehicle composed of fixed link bracket and a rotatable link hinged to fixed link bracket combined with pedal member. An accelerator cable is connected to the rotatable link. The fixed link bracket provided with stopping means to restrict the movement of the rotatable link. The rotatable link further having extension for get locked with stopping means provided on the fixed link bracket. The stopping means provided on the fixed link bracket restrict the movement at the idling and full throttle rpm positions of the pedal assembly.

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT 1970 (39 of 1970) THE PATENTS RULES, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10; rule 13) TITLE OF THE INVENTION ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY APPLICANTS TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India INVENTOR DESHMUKH RAVINDRA S An Indian National of TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to pedal assembly for a vehicle. More particularly this invention relates to accelerator pedal bracket assembly for a vehicle. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION In all motor vehicles, the engine speed is controlled by accelerator pedal which is coupled to the engine speed regulator by using either flexible rope type connection or rigid linkage. When engine is started by giving input signal to ignition actuator switch it starts running at initial designed rpm termed as idling rpm, further engine speed can be increased to its maximum designed engine rpm termed as full throttle rpm. Accelerator control unit acts as an interface between engine and driver of the motor vehicle, it receives input signal in the form of pedal motion from driver and same is transmitted to engine speed regulator through linkages. Initial position of pedal resembles to the engine idling rpm and final position resembles to the engine full throttle rpm. In between engine idling rpm and engine full throttle, rpm can be regulated by regulating in between pedal positions. Once pedal is released from any of the position of its state ranging from initial position to final position it should return to initial position quickly. Conventional accelerator control units are having two pivot joints, which are used for connecting the mechanical rigid links from accelerator pedal unit to speed regulating unit on engine, return spring is attached to speed regulator on engine for restoring the linkages from displaced position. The effectiveness of restoring the linkage improves when minimum no. of moving parts, minimum no. of pined joints are used it further improves if return spring is of tension type and placed near to the pedal. Prior Arts: EP0761488 discloses about an accelerator pedal assembly for use in a road vehicle has the foot operated pedal unit hinged at the bottom on a multi link coupling A6U. Coupled to this by a pivot pin A2U is a second link A3U and this is supported at the top in a bearing bush within a fixed bracket A5U. The foot pedal is spring loaded into the normal position by two steel cables A10U that loop around the outer bearing sleeve A14U and are fixed A7U to the bracket at one end and to tension coil springs A22U at the other. The steel cables locate in grooves Al2U in the pivot mounted link. When the pedal is depressed the springs are loaded. EP1028364 discloses about a pedal adjustment system (10) for an automobile having an accelerator cable (22) and a master cylinder pushrod (20) with a free end, the system having a brake pedal (12) secured to a lower end of a brake pedal arm (14) and an accelerator pedal (16) secured to a lower end of an accelerator pedal arm (18). The adjustment of the brake pedal arm (14) is effected by pivoting about the free end of the master cylinder pushrod (20), which pivotally engages the brake pedal arm (14) between its ends, the pivoting being done by imposing a reversible force from an electric motor and gear box assembly attached to an upper end of the brake pedal arm (14). The accelerator pedal arm (18), an upper end of which engages the accelerator cable (22), is adjusted in unison with the brake pedal arm (14) by providing an accelerator adjustment link, an upper end of which is co-extensive with the brake pedal arm (14) and a lower end of which is pivotally attached to the accelerator pedal arm (18) at a location between the upper and lower ends of the accelerator pedal arm (18). KR20020040051 discloses about an accelerator pedal assembly for a vehicle is provided to prevent a driver from being injured, and to improve stability during traveling by reducing impact with installing a damper in the accelerator pedal assembly at a head-on collision. An accelerator pedal assembly of a vehicle is composed of a fixed link bracket(3) combined with a dash panel(l); a rotation link bracket(ì¥Á 5@ ø ¿ éM bjbjÏ2Ï2 ï• ­X ­X éE ÿÿ ÿÿ ÿÿ ˆ 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Ä ú ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ 4 ket; and a damper unit(10) having a fixed rod(l 1) mounted in the dash panel, a connecting rod(12) combined with the fixed rod by an assembling bolt, and an impact absorbing rod(13) combined with the connecting rod and the fixed link bracket. A driver is protected from the accelerator at a head-on collision with connecting the damper unit to the dash panel and the accelerator pedal assembly. US20010047696 discloses about a Vehicle pedal device assembly including a brake pedal device having brake pedal and adjusting mechanism operable to pivot adjusting link about support shaft and move the brake pedal through drive link in longitudinal direction of vehicle when the brake pedal is in non-operated state, and further including an accelerator pedal device having accelerator pedal, and pedal holding member which pivotally supports the accelerator pedal and which is disposed pivotally about mounting shaft, and wherein connecting link is provided to connect the pedal holding member and stationary member fixed to vehicle body, such that the pedal holding member and the accelerator pedal are moved in the longitudinal direction together with the brake pedal. US3691868 discloses about an adjustable pedal assembly for an automotive vehicle in which the fore and aft positions of the pedals may be varied without affecting the outputs of the individual pedal components. The assembly includes a pedal carrier bracket which is connected by links to a support structure. Each pedal is connected to its controlled device by a flexible tension bearing member. The flexible tension bearing member extends about a guide mounted on one of the links. The guide is located at an intermediate point on the link so that it compensates for the change in position of the pedal without affecting the output of the flexible member. EP0872373 discloses about a vehicular accelerator pedal apparatus (10) including (a) a pedal position sensor (59) mounted with respect to a bracket (17) and having a stem (61) rotatable about an axis of rotation (73), (b) an accelerator pedal (11), and (c) an actuator bar (13) extending from the pedal (11) toward the bracket (17), characterized in that: the actuator bar (13) is connected to a drive shaft (23) pivot-mounted with respect to the bracket (17); an actuator linkage is coupled to and pivoted by the drive shaft (23); the linkage extends between the drive shaft (23) and the sensor stem (61); and the linkage includes first and second links (41, 85) imparting rotary motion to the stem (61) when the linkage is pivoted by movement of the pedal (11). None of the above cited prior arts disclose about pedal bracket assembly in which a single element is configured to act as a stopper for idling as well as for full throttle positions of the pedal. Similar arrangement or concept is not cited in any of the citation. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of cited prior arts. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The main objective of the present invention is to provide an accelerator pedal assembly which is simple in construction and in operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide an accelerator pedal having one pivot joints. Yet another object of the present invention is to improve effectiveness by restoring the linkage with minimum no. of moving parts, minimum no. of pined joints. According to present invention, An accelerator pedal assembly comprising a fixed link bracket connected to fire wall of the vehicle, a rotatable link with a pedal member, an accelerator cable connected to said rotatable link, the rotatable link hinged to said fixed link bracket, first and second stopping means for restrict the movement of rotatable link about the hinge, and a return spring connected to said rotatable link to said fixed link bracket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows exploded view of rotatable link Figure 2 shows fixed link bracket view Figure 3 shows accelerator assembly at idling rpm position. Figure 4 shows accelerator assembly at full throttle rpm position DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same. Referring to figures 1 and 2, the improved pedal bracket assembly having two part, the first part a fixed link bracket (10) and second part a rotatable link (1). The pedal member (21) connected to the rotatable link (1) and pivatobly attached to the fixed link bracket (10) which is then connected to the fire wall of the vehicle. The rotatable link (1) is hinged to fixed link bracket through a hinge attachment (3) in the rotatable link. The hinge attachment (3) includes a hollow tube with a disc (4) and a lever (5). The rotatable link is welded to the hollow tube and to the disc. The disc is provided to get more welded area to form stronger and durable fitment. The lever (5) is connected to the hollow tube and having an upper protrusion (7) acting as stopper. The end (6) of the lever opposite to the portion connected to the tube having a hole to hold the spring (20). The hollow tube further has depression formed at both ends to accommodate bushes(8) which also save material. The rotatable link is welded to the tube and to the disc attached to the tube and, upper end (2') of which is having a recess to hold the cable and lower end (2")to attach to the pedal. The fixed link bracket (10) formed as an open channel in triangular shape with higher depth at top (11) and lower at the bottom (12) along its length. Bottom portion of the bracket provided with a bend element (12') having recess to hold a spring. The closed end of the bracket (16) having recesses for fixing the bracket into the fire wall of the vehicle. Top (11) of the fixed bracket is provided with two projections/stopping means (14, 15). The first projection/stopping means (14) is located nearer to the open end and projected upward. This is acting as stopper at full throttle rpm. The second projection/stopping means (15) is located inner to the first projection/stopping means and projecting upward. The height of the first projection/stopping means (14) is higher than that of the second one/stopping means (15). The second projection/stopping means (15) acting an idling rpm position stopper. These two projections (14, 15) formed as stepped projections for stopping the peddle movement at its idling and full throttle rpm positions. The fixed link bracket provided with holes at the upper outer end (13) to insert the hinge pin. The rotatable link (1) is hinged to the fixed link bracket by keeping it at the upper outer end (13) of the fixed link and inserting a hinge pin (9). The hinge pin (9) having a collar at one end and other end with a hole to insert the split pin. A return spring (20) connecting the fixed link bracket (10) to the rotatable link (1). One end of the spring is attached to the bend element (12') located at the bottom of the fixed link bracket and other end connected to the lever (5) attached to the rotatable link. The accelerator pedal assembly at its idling and full throttle rpm positions shown in fig 3 & fig 4. The return spring (20) force the rotatable link (1) to rotate on the hinge and stopper (7) on the lever attached to the link (1) prevent such movement of the link beyond certain position. While moving the rotatable link (1) the stopper (7) comes to contact with the projection (15) which prevent further movement of the link (1). The stopper (7) on the lever attached to rotatable link (1) is projecting outside and it overlap the fixed link bracket (10) side wall thereby preventing its movement towards inner of the fixed link bracket (10) and the movement of the rotatable link (1) also. The rotatable link is in pre tensioned mode due to the return spring (20) and initial position of pedal is defined by the stopper projection (15) on the fixed link bracket. While pressing the pedal the rotatable link (1) rotates in opposite direction on the hinge and top portion of the rotatable link moves away from the fixed link bracket. Central tube and lever (5) attached to the rotatable link (1) will also rotate along with the link (1). While rotating the link (1) the stopper (7) attached to lever (5) will locked with the first projection (14) on the fixed link bracket (10) after the link (1) traverse a particular angle of rotation thereby stopping the movement of the rotatable link at full throttle rpm. The rotation of the link (1) is controlled by locating the protrusion on lever attached to the link (1) between two projections on the fixed link bracket (10). 1 Rotatable link assembly 2' Upper end of tube 2" Lower end of tube 3 Hinge attachment 4 Disc 5 lever 6 end (of the lever) 7 stopper (upper protrusion) 8 bushes 9 Hinge pin 10 Fixed link bracket 11 Top (of bracket) 12 Bottom (of bracket) 12' Bend element 13 Upper outer end (of fixed link) 14 First projection (of fixed link bracket) 15 Second projection (of fixed link bracket) 16 Closed end of bracket 20 Return spring 21 Pedal member The projections on the fixed link bracket and protrusion on the rotatable link acting as a stopping mechanism for restricting the movement of pedal at its idling and full throttle rpm positions. Different embodiments can be used for stopping the movement of the pedal such as multiple protrusions on the lever which in turn gets locked with side wall of the fixed link bracket (not shown) or similar mechanism which will achieve the same target. The pedal movement is activated by driver and position of pedal controlled by the stopper projection on the fixed link bracket. The link attached to the pedal always in pre tensioned mode and once the driver releases the pedal it returns to initial position. The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof. WE CLAIM 1. An accelerator pedal assembly comprising a fixed link bracket (10) connected to fire wall of the vehicle, a rotatable link (1) with a pedal member (21), an accelerator cable connected to said rotatable link (1), the rotatable link hinged to said fixed link bracket (10), a lever (7) attached to said rotatable link (1) and connected to said fixed link bracket (10) through a return spring (20), wherein said lever (7) having a protrusion configured as a first and a second stopping arrangement (14,15) for restricting the movement of rotatable link (1) about the hinge. 2. The accelerator pedal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixed link bracket (10) having a bend element attached to the bottom to hold said return spring (20). 3. The accelerator pedal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixed link bracket/stopping arrangement (10) having first and second projections (14,15) at upper portion, said first projection (14) for stopping the rotatable link (1) at full throttle rpm position and second projection (15) for stopping the rotatable link (1) at idling rpm position. 4. The accelerator pedal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotatable link attached with a lever (5), said lever (5) having a protrusion (7) at upper portion and a recess for holding said spring. 5. The accelerator pedal assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusion (7) of said lever in contact with first projection (14) on said fixed link bracket (10) for stopping the movement of said rotatable link (1) at full throttle rpm. 6. The accelerator pedal assembly as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the protrusion (7) of said lever in contact with second projection (15) on said fixed link bracket (10) for stopping the movement of said rotatable link (1) at idling rpm. 7. The accelerator pedal assembly as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said fixed link bracket (10) having a closed end with recesses for fixing said bracket to fire wall of the vehicle. 8. The accelerator pedal assembly as claimed in the preceding claims fitted on an automobile.

Documents:

2427-MUM-2007-ABSTRACT(11-3-2013).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-ABSTRACT(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-ABSTRACT(GRANTED)-(19-3-2013).pdf

2427-mum-2007-abstract.doc

2427-mum-2007-abstract.pdf

2427-MUM-2007-CANCELLED PAGES(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(11-3-2013).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(GRANTED)-(19-3-2013).pdf

2427-mum-2007-claims.doc

2427-mum-2007-claims.pdf

2427-mum-2007-correspondence(18-2-2008).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(IPO)-(19-3-2013).pdf

2427-mum-2007-correspondence-received.pdf

2427-mum-2007-description (complete).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-DESCRIPTION(GRANTED)-(19-3-2013).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-DRAWING(11-3-2013).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-DRAWING(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-DRAWING(GRANTED)-(19-3-2013).pdf

2427-mum-2007-drawings.pdf

2427-MUM-2007-FORM 1(11-3-2013).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-FORM 13(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-mum-2007-form 18(18-2-2008).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-FORM 2(GRANTED)-(19-3-2013).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(11-3-2013).pdf

2427-mum-2007-form 2(title page)-(12-12-2007).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(GRANTED)-(19-3-2013).pdf

2427-mum-2007-form 8(18-2-2008).pdf

2427-mum-2007-form 9(18-2-2008).pdf

2427-mum-2007-form-1.pdf

2427-mum-2007-form-2.doc

2427-mum-2007-form-2.pdf

2427-mum-2007-form-26.pdf

2427-mum-2007-form-3.pdf

2427-mum-2007-general power of attorney(12-12-2007).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-MARKED COPY(11-3-2013).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-MARKED COPY(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(23-2-2012).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-REPLY TO HEARING(11-3-2013).pdf

2427-MUM-2007-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(23-2-2012).pdf

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